The Ohio House of Representatives released the following information outlining changes to the education plan originally introduced by Gov. Ted Strickland.
Strengthening Ohio's Comprehensive Education Reform Plan
Replacing Ohio's Broken System with One that Meets Every Student's Needs
A Few Key Points
Ohio's Economy Succeeds When Ohio's Schools Succeed
- Preparing every student for a 21st century economy is key to Ohio's economic prosperity
- World class schools will strengthen our workforce and attract businesses to Ohio
- Ohio is investing in students while other states are cutting education funding
Ohio's Comprehensive Education Reform Plan
1. Replaces a Broken Funding System with One that Meets Every Student's Needs
- Provides resources to districts with the greatest educational challenges
- Lowers local taxpayer burden and increases the state's contribution
- Reduces the number of times schools will need voters to pass levies
2. Begins Modernizing Ohio's Classrooms for the 21st Century
- Directs resources to methods that help kids learn - smaller classes, better teachers, more learning time
- Replaces the Ohio Graduation Test with the ACT to promote college advancement
- Leverages technology to enhance learning and prepares students with the skills to compete in today's ever-changing, global economy
3. Strengthens Accountability & Improves Teacher Quality
- Establishes regular review of school district spending plans
- Develops a residency program and enhances professional development opportunities
- Strengthens licensing standards for principals and disciplinary guidelines for teachers
The Proposed Legislative Changes
Common-Sense Changes to Make a Good Plan Better
- Strengthens the model to ensure it accounts for every district's challenges
- Modifies the implementation timetable to allow for flexibility and accountability
- Addresses concerns of additional educational programs & improves the advisory council
Overview of Legislative Changes
I. STRENGTHENING THE FUNDING MODEL
Changes made by the House take the fundamental model proposed by Gov. Strickland and adjust a few key components to make the Ohio Evidence Based Model (OEBM) work better:
Federal Stimulus Funds - We remain committed to securing as many federal resources for Ohio aspossible in the current economic climate, and to maximizing Ohio's access to American Recovery andReinvestment Act dollars. Title 1 and IDEA funds will be separated from GRF to Special Revenue Funds to clearly delineate the state and federal resources provided to each district.
Educational Challenge Factor - An upgrade to the Governor's Instructional Quality Index, the Educational Challenge Factor (ECF) places greater weight on property wealth and applies to additional parts of the OEBM (tutors, summer remediation and enrichment funds), driving resources to areas of greatest need.
Rural Districts - To make sure that students in rural areas have access to great schools, small school districts will be able to claim their share of resources by lowering the minimum district size and guaranteeing a principal for every school in rural districts.
Teacher Salary - Ensuring a transparent calculation for this important figure, the base teacher salary will be $49,914, based on median school district salary with 14% added for base benefits. This change does not affect the overall cost of the model because of recalibrations in the ECF.
District Administration - Changes recognize diversity in central office structures by combining superintendent and treasurer factors of the Governor's plan into one administration factor, providing district flexibility.
II. A TRANSITION THAT MAKES SENSE
Hearing widespread questions over the implementation of the OEBM and transition from the current funding system, the proposed House changes make the phase-in more reasonable and equitable.
Ten Year Phase-In - Extending the timeline for implementation from 8 to 10 years will make sure districts have adequate time to adjust.
Phase Down the Charge-Off - Immediately lowering the charge-off from 23 to 20 mills benefits wealthiest districts first, phase down the charge off over 6 years, starting with 22 mills this biennium. This allows other elements that benefit poorer districts to be phased in earlier.
Teacher Ratio - To avoid teacher shortages and ensure adequate school facilities, the student/teacher ratio for grades K-3 will be phased in, from 19:1 for the first two years to 15:1 over six years. Note: the student/teacher ratio is not a mandated class size, but rather a guideline for overall staff levels.
Additional Days - Maintain the eventual goal of extending the school year, but eliminate calamity days in the short run rather than adding extra required days. This allows the School Funding Research and Advisory council time to recommend the most effective way to use extra days.
Transportation Supplement - A transportation supplement for low wealth and low density districts will ease the transition to a new transportation formula, and provide resources to districts during the phase-in.
Funding Guarantees - Every district receives as much state support as in 2009, and districts receive at least 98% of 2010 funding in 2011 to help districts transition to the new funding model.
III. IMPLEMENTATION WITH FLEXIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Critical to a sound school funding formula is allowing flexibility to encourage success and accountability to ensure results. House changes give most flexibility to academically successful districts, while directing low-performing districts to make key reforms.
Core Academic Strategies - A few fundamental reforms will be expected of every district, such as offering all-day kindergarten. These reforms will be coupled with the funding to implement them, and are the elements most critical to ensuring Ohio transitions universally to a 21st Century system of education.
Academic Improvement Factors - Components shown to most dramatically increase student achievement, such as one-on-one tutoring, will be required of districts who are rated as Academic Watch or worse for two consecutive years.
Reasonable Timeline - No reforms will be required of districts in the first year. The State Superintendent will establish a reasonable timeline for implementation through a strategic plan. The transition will be an ongoing dialogue among state and local leaders and stakeholder groups to ensure that it is as fair and effective as possible.
FACT Form - The Formula Accountability and Transparency form will be an accessible report that compares actual district expenditures to the expenditures predicted by the OEBM. It will hold districts to public accountability for how they spend resources.
School Funding Research and Advisory Council - Staffed jointly by the Center for Creativity and Innovation and the Office of School Resource Management at the ODE, the Council will be a forum for education leaders in Ohio, with a specific mandate to investigate questions arising from a brandnew funding system and to present research-based options to the General Assembly. A member from the Ohio Academy of Sciences and a member from the philanthropic community will be added to the members proposed in the Governor's plan as introduced.
IV. ADDRESSING ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Ohio's diverse educational system demands a funding model that accounts for the special educational needs faced by some students and districts, not just the core academic strategies.
Special Education - House changes will invest in special education funding by using corrected 2006 weights and will restore special education programs like Parent Mentors and School Psychologist Interns.
Gifted Education - In lieu of the per-pupil gifted funds included in the original plan, gifted staff will be funded for every building. There will also be funding for gifted identification testing, and additional enrichment funds for activities, field trips and opportunities to districts with the greatest need.
Career Tech and Educational Service Centers - Fund career tech education and joint vocational school education in the same manner, by providing 1.9% increases in addition to current funding levels. By restoring ESCs to 2009 funding levels, those vital services can continue.
Charter Schools (Community Schools) - Building on the important strides made in the Governor's plan towards better accountability and oversight, financial incentives and transparency will ensure that high-performing charter schools succeed and offer real choices to Ohio's student. Charter schools will continue to be funded under the same model as traditional public schools, as they were in the Governor's introduced plan, and will receive federal stimulus Title 1 and IDEA dollars in addition to state funds.
The newly-established Subcommittee on Public Charter/Traditional Public School Collaboration and Innovation (a subcommittee of the School Funding Research and Advisory Council) will offer recommendations for how Ohio's charter school administrative and funding systems can be further reformed to better incentivize innovation and collaboration with traditional public schools.